Go Deeper

TEACHING SHEET

Keys to Powerful Living: Praise

The 700 Club

GIVING GOD THE GLORY NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE FACING

Witnessing a magnificent
fireworks display, hearing a stunning symphony, or seeing a glorious sunset can
evoke a response of praise.

But often, it's easier to praise a sunset than
the Creator of the sunset. In that same way, the difficulties of life often cloud
our vision and keep us from praising God. What can we do to restore a heart-attitude
of praise?

THE NATURE OF PRAISE

Praise, according to the Scriptures,
is an act of our will that flows out of an awe and reverence for our Creator.
Praise gives glory to God and opens us up to a deeper union with Him. It turns
our attention off of our problems and on the nature and character of God Himself.

As we focus our minds on God and proclaim His goodness, we reflect His glory
back to Him. The results can fill you with peace and contentment (Isaiah
26:3) and transform your outlook on life.

REASONS TO PRAISE

Very
simply, we praise God because He is worthy of our praise (1
Chron. 16:25; Rev. 5:11-14). He is the Alpha and
Omega, the Beginning and the End, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our
Creator, Provider, Healer, Redeemer, Judge, Defender and much more.

Another
foundational reason to praise God is simple obedience. The Bible says God is a
"jealous" God who demands and desires our praise. "You shall have no other gods
before Me," says the first commandment (Deut.
6:7). As the psalmist said, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalm
150:6).

As we praise God, we will discover incredible benefits for our lives.
That's because human beings were created by God to praise Him (Isa.
43:7, Matt. 21:16). Due to man's original sin,
however, this relationship was disrupted. Praising God helps restore us to that
right relationship, for God actually dwells in the praises of His people (Psalm
22:3). As we draw near to the Father in praise, He draws near to us (James
4:8).

Praise is also our ultimate destiny. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns
again to earth, all creation -- including prideful mankind -- will recognize His
glory and praise Him (Phil. 2:9-11).

PRAISE
FOR PROTECTION

God also gives us assurances of additional blessings as
we praise Him. When we praise God, He honors us as His children, and provides
His loving protection (2 Sam. 22:47-51). Failure
to praise God, however, leaves us out of fellowship with God and out of His divine
protection (1 Samuel 2:27-32).

Our praise can
also serve as a powerful witness to those who do not know the Lord (1
Peter 2:9). Also, God can work miraculously through our praises. The ancient walls
of Jericho came crashing down, giving victory to God's people, as a result of
shouts of praise (Joshua 6:1-21). The prison doors
shook open when Paul and Silas praised God (Acts
16:25-26).

OBSTACLES TO PRAISE

Praise is both important and powerful.
So why is it so difficult at times to praise God? The Bible explains that, even
with the power of the indwelling Jesus, our hearts are still "more deceitful that
all else" (Jer. 17:9). We sometimes forget that
we are always dependent on God to live victoriously in this life.

Satan therefore
tries to persuade us that we will eventually reach a point where we can "do it
ourselves." The Scriptures are clear that Satan "prowls about like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Disguised
as an "angel of light," the devil and his host seek subtly to subvert the praises
the children of God owe to their heavenly Father.

God, however, has given us
grace in times of need, provided we humble ourselves (Matt.
23:12; James 4:5-10). Praising God allows us to
defeat the strategies of the enemy. As God's adopted children, we no longer have
to remain slaves to sin (Gal. 4:6-7). We have
a powerful spiritual weapon in praise, and it is guaranteed to be effective (II
Cor. 10:4-5).

LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE

It is vitally important to
live in an attitude of praise toward God. But what can you do if you are having
difficulty maintaining a life filled with praise?

1. Commit your life to Christ. First,
be absolutely sure that you have placed your complete
faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life.
The Bible says that "if you confess with your mouth
Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised
Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (
Rom. 10:9). The life of praise begins here, with the
confession of your mouth that "Jesus is Lord."

2. Confess sin and repent. Sin, including
prideful self-reliance, separates us from God and from
His love and protection. But we have the assurance of
forgiveness if we come to Him in repentance (
1 John 1:9). Confess any known sin and ask God to search
your heart. Then, receive His forgiveness.

3. Praise God anyway! Despite your
present feelings, it is important to offer praise to
God, what
Hebrews 13:15 calls a sacrifice" of praise. Despite
our feelings or circumstances, God often asks us to
take the first step, especially when He is trying to
help us grow in our faith (
James 1:2-4).

4. Join together with other believers.
Sharing your struggles with another brother or sister
in Christ is not only good idea (
Ecc. 4:9-10), it is commanded (
James 5:16). Uniting with other believers in regular
worship is also a key to being able to praise God (
Heb. 10:24-25).

AS YOU PRAY

Are
you living a life filled with praise for God? If not, take a few moments to examine
your life and your relationship with Jesus. If you have not made Him Lord of your
life, start there. Then, confess any known sin and receive His forgiveness. Ask
Him to renew you and refresh your spirit.

"Lord, You have made me and You love
me. Forgive me for failing to give You the praise which You deserve. I confess
my need of You in all things. I desire to walk in joy and praise. Release me now
into a deeper understanding of who You are, so that I may truly praise You. I
ask all this in Jesus' name. Amen."

GOD'S WORD ON PRAISE

"Sing to
the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above
all gods" (1 Chron. 16:23-25).

Through our daily inspirational television program, The 700 Club, and
other outreaches, CBN ministers to millions every day in more than 70 nations.
Each outreach of CBN is supported by friends like you who participate in spreading
the Good News of Jesus Christ. For information on how you can take part in this
exciting ministry outreach, call or write today.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references are
from the New American Standard Bible.

About CBN

CBN is a global ministry committed to preparing the nations of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ through mass media. Using television and the Internet, CBN is proclaiming the Good News in 147 countries and territories, with programs and content in 62 languages.